Sunday, March 1, 2015

Advent 2014 - A Christmas Prayer

Sermon Video

Ephesians 3:14-21 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14-21‬ NASB) 

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (John‭14‬:‭12-14 NASB) 

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8NASB) 
  1. Inner Strength (v.14-16) 
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14-16‬ NASB) 

"According to His Glory" 
  • Everything that he is 
  • Unfathomable 
  • Infinite 
  • Limitless 
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭7NASB) 

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19NASB) 

We need to have this inner strength that the Spirit supplies, in order to live the holy life that God calls us to. 

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭17NASB) 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭7-10NASB) 
  1. Indwelling Christ (v. 17a) 
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  (2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16NASB) 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.  (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭17, 19NASB) 

Would Jesus be comfortable in your library, dining room, living room, Etc.   

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 
(Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭17-19NASB) 
  1. Incomprehensible Love (v. 17b-19a) 
who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭21NASB) 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭18NASB) 
  1. Infinite fullness (v.19b) 
Empty of us.  Full of Him 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20NASB) 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭18-20NASB) 

Why does he do all of this for us? 

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭21NASB)

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